Birmingham?

[McDreamy]

Wasn't sure where to post this but as DD is starting school in September I think that a good school will be my priority so here goes.

We have recently been informed that there is a strong chance that DH's next job may well be in the centre of Birmingham. I know the city centre as a shopper but I don't know anything about residential Birmingham. What areas are nice? Any good schools that you know of? Any other tips? We will be looking at renting for about 2 years. TIA

Bump

Right close to the city centre are some of the poorer, inner city estates such as Ladywood and Nechells. IF you can afford to rent in the following areas, you will find the areas nicer with nice housing and good schools.

Sutton Coldfield.
Edgbaston
Harbourne
Moseley

these are more affluent areas ( although some parts of edgbaston which links into ladywood can be a bit dodgy.

if you need any more info let me know.

Hi McDreamy. I live in Sutton Coldfield which is north Birmingham, and is a nice residential area with good primary schools. It also has it's own town centre.

Solihull is the other area generally regarded as 'nice' residential with good schools.

Nearer to the centre though is Moseley which is a bit more hip and happening, some lovely houses, but borders some dodgey areas so have to look carefully at the schools.

Oh and Harbourne is the place to live. Not far from the Uni, good high street, good schools, nice place.

Edgbaston has lovely big house and leafy streets, but also near dodgy areas and schools seem to be all private.

Hope that gets you strated, lots of areas to definetly avoid though!

Oh morning Tiredemma and snap!

morning. Looks like we have the same ideas about places!

Is there a tiredemma and a tiredmama?

or am i confused and you're the same person?

I thought I chatted to Tiredmama who lived in Kingstanding, or was that you?

its me, eveyone calls me tiredmama for some reason.

I live in Great Barr now though, we escaped Kingstanding ( Dp is orignially from beautiful poole in dorset, living in k/s was a massive culture shock!!!!)

It was me last night, hope its not too confusing!

Harbourne sounds handy as DH will be working at the university. Thanks for all your help. If we get told it's def going ahead I will probably pick your brains for some more local info a bit more. Thanks

Ah, no that's clarified all thanks.

Sorry for gettig your name wrong, all this time!

is it bham uni? Thats where i go! harbourne would be better as traffic is a nightmare in the morning.

Smily- do a search everybody does it!

Yes I'm pretty sure it will be Birmingham uni which will be wierd for him as he was a student there years ago!

what does he teach (if you dont mind me asking?)

medicine

Oh the Medical School. My School is attatched to the med school ( nursing) its a lovely campus ( im sure he knows anyway)

good luck- if you need any mor info about bham, ill try and help

actually that's not really accurate - he doesn't teach medical students, is more education in medicine - keeping Dr's up to date etc (to be honest I don't know the full details)

I see, sound v. interesting anyway- whatever it is!

parts of selly oak are nice, edgbaston you have to choose your place, harborne definitely is nice,

quite - whatever it is!!

Harborne is extremely handy for the med school - 20 min walk from the High Street.

State primaries are all good;

St Mary's (Catholic)
St Peter's (c of E)
Harborne Junior
Chad Vale

St Mary's and Harborne Junior in particular highly regarded.

Secondary schools unfortunately don't carry the same reputation but you do have access to excellent grammar and independents.

Downside to Harborne is the cost of housing which seems to be some of the highest in the area.

Some lovely restaurants, M & S etc make it a handy place to live and socialise.

Bham Uni has a v good sports centre, used by the local community and again in walking distance of Harborne.

i lived in four oaks in sutton for a good few years
its ok
imo solihull is very southern ( if otua re not fom the midlands) lots of gradutate women types at mums and todller
s norht brum is bvery slef made and footballers wives - nice but not as " corporate" as hte south side.

mcreamy
ui went tot he UNiv
and dh did too
we loved it and loved selly oak

harbourne is walkable really so you coudl save on cars!

mosely is very right on but has a big drugs problem

harbourne is very boden

selly park is nice

and BOurneville is VERY nice and ahs a real village feel - less flashy than harbnoune

sutton woudl eb a drag for you.

agree that edgabaston dosnt necc =nice

lots of werid areas there off hagley road